Delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus

ABSTRACT

A delivery vehicle-mounted plastic bag dispenser. An embodiment of delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus includes a dispenser brace, at least one mounting connector, and an elongated dispenser rod. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a plastic bag dispenser apparatus that is configured to mount to a wall or shelf of a box truck or cargo truck. The present disclosure provides ease of driver access to plastic bags, and a durable assembly capable of withstanding the rigorous environment of high volume delivery.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to dispensers for plastic bags from rolls, in particular a delivery vehicle mounted plastic bag dispenser.

SUMMARY

A delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus comprising at least one dispenser bracket configured to mount to an interior portion of a vehicle having a mounting section and a dispenser section, the mounting section having at least one mounting aperture, and the dispenser section having at least one dispenser aperture; a dispenser rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having a retaining fastener aperture and the second end having a stopping means, the dispenser rod being removably engaged with the at least one dispenser aperture; and, a mounting means, the mounting means being fixedly coupled to the mounting section of the at least one dispenser bracket and engaged with the at least one mounting aperture.

A plastic bag dispenser assembly comprising a dispenser brace configured to mount to an interior portion of a delivery vehicle, the dispenser brace comprising a mounting section, a first dispenser arm, and a second dispenser arm, the mounting section having at least one mounting aperture, and the first dispenser arm and the second dispenser arm having at least one dispenser aperture; at least one mounting connector fixedly engaged with the at least one mounting aperture of the dispenser brace; and, an elongated dispenser rod, the elongated dispenser rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having a connection aperture and the second end being substantially curved proximal to a terminal portion, the elongated dispenser rod being threaded through the at least one dispenser aperture of the first dispenser arm and the second dispenser arm.

A delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser assembly comprising a first dispenser bracket having a mounting arm and a dispenser arm, the mounting arm having at least one mounting aperture, and the dispenser arm having at least one dispenser aperture; a second dispenser bracket having a mounting arm and a dispenser arm, the mounting arm having at least one mounting aperture, and the dispenser arm having at least one dispenser aperture; a plurality of mounting connectors fixedly engaged with the at least one mounting aperture of the first dispenser brace and the second dispenser brace, the plurality of mounting connectors being configured to mount to a substantially flat surface; an elongated dispenser rod, the elongated dispenser rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having a pin aperture and the second end being substantially curved proximal to a terminal portion, the elongated dispenser rod being threaded through the at least one dispenser aperture of the first dispenser arm and the second dispenser arm; and, a retaining fastener removably engaged with the pin aperture of the elongated dispenser rod.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser mounting bracket according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment; and,

FIG. 4 is a top view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments are described herein to provide a detailed description of the present disclosure. Variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Moreover, certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. For example, the words “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner” and “outer” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word “a” is defined to mean “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

In package delivery and courier services, such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx for example, drivers often carry roles of plastic bags for packages to prevent the packages from being damaged by rain when the package is placed outside a recipient's residence or place of business. Rolls of plastic bags are often placed behind the seat, on shelves, or on the floor of the delivery vehicle. This causes a substantial amount of inconvenience on the part of the driver to access and use the bags in a high volume environment. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a plastic bag dispenser apparatus that is configured to mount to a wall or shelf of a box truck or cargo truck. The present disclosure provides ease of driver access to plastic bags, and a durable assembly capable of withstanding the rigorous environment of high volume delivery.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser 100 is comprised generally of a left dispenser bracket 102 a, a right dispenser bracket 102 b, and a dispenser rod 108. Dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b may be interchangeable and in an embodiment are corner brackets. In a preferred embodiment, left dispenser bracket 102 a and right dispenser bracket 102 b are mounted to a wall, shelf, or surface of a delivery vehicle or box truck using connection bolt 104. While a bolt 104 and hex nut are used to secure dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b in an embodiment, it is anticipated that any commercially reasonable connection means could be used, including machine screws, pins, hooks, wall anchors, adhesives, nails, and the like.

Dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b may have a dispenser aperture 106. Dispenser aperture 106 may be of a diameter to correspond with the diameter of dispenser rod 108, such that dispenser rod 108 may be removably threaded through dispenser aperture 106. In an embodiment, dispenser rod 108 is curved at one end to prevent dispenser rod 108 from sliding completely through dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b. Dispenser rod 108 may be substantially “L-shaped.” While dispenser rod 108 has a curved end in an embodiment, any acceptable stopping means to prevent dispenser rod 108 from sliding completely through dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b may be readily substitutable. Dispenser rod 108 may have an aperture at one end for engagement with a clip pin 110. The aperture may be a slot, groove, or machined hole, or alternatively, there may be no aperture and clip pin 110 may simply clip to the end of dispenser rod 108. Clip pin 110 could be readily substituted with another selectively engaged stopping means. Clip pin 110 prevents dispenser rod 108 from migrating out of dispenser aperture 106. In a preferred embodiment, dispenser rod 108 is threaded through a central portion of a plastic bag roll 112, such that plastic bag roll 112 may rotate around an axis of dispenser roll 108 so a user can unroll bags during use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser mounting bracket according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, a plastic bag dispenser mounting bracket may be a singular, substantially U-shaped bracket, or may be separate dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b. Dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b may be interchangeable and in an embodiment are corner brackets. Dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b may have mounting apertures 114 to facilitate mounting to a delivery vehicle surface using a connection means including machine nuts and bolts, screws, pins, hooks, wall anchors, nails, and the like. In an embodiment where an adhesive is used to secure dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b to a vehicle surface, mounting apertures 114 may be omitted. Dispenser brackets 102 a and 102 b may have dispenser rod apertures 106 to facilitate engagement with a dispenser rod.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, dispenser brackets 102 are mounted to a wall 120 of a delivery vehicle. Connection bolts 104 are coupled to dispenser brackets 102 and delivery vehicle wall 120 and fixed in place with flat washers 118 and lock nuts 116. Connection bolts 104 may be hex steel capped bolts, and lock nuts 116 may be corresponding hex lock nuts. Numerous mounting hardware alternatives could be utilized in substitution of connection bolts 104, flat washers 118, and lock nuts 116 as described above. FIG. 4 is a top view of a delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus according to an embodiment. Delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser 100 is shown as in FIG. 3 with dispenser rod 108 and plastic bag role 112. As described in the above embodiment, dispenser rod 108 may be threaded through a central portion of a plastic bag roll 112, such that plastic bag roll 112 may rotate around an axis of dispenser rod 108 so a user can unroll bags during use. However, numerous connection and rotation mechanisms such as rollers and clips may be used in alternative embodiments. Dispenser rod 108 may interface with dispenser brackets 102 as described above, or may utilize numerous alternative connection methods such as keying, mating, or clamping components.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus comprising: at least one dispenser bracket configured to mount to an interior portion of a vehicle having a mounting section and a dispenser section, the mounting section having at least one mounting aperture, and the dispenser section having at least one dispenser aperture; a dispenser rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having a retaining fastener aperture and the second end having a stopping means, the dispenser rod being removably engaged with the at least one dispenser aperture; and, a mounting means, the mounting means being fixedly coupled to the mounting section of the at least one dispenser bracket and engaged with the at least one mounting aperture.
 2. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a retaining fastener selectively engaged with the retaining fastener aperture on the dispenser rod.
 3. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting means is selected from the group consisting of a bolt, machine screw, pin, hook, wall anchor, and nail.
 4. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispenser rod is substantially L-shaped.
 5. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one dispenser bracket is a corner brace.
 6. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dispenser rod is selectively engaged with a central portion of a plastic bag roll.
 7. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stopping means is comprised of a curved portion of the dispenser rod.
 8. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 2 wherein the retaining fastener is a clip pin.
 9. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser apparatus of claim 3 wherein the mounting means further comprises at least one lock nut.
 10. A plastic bag dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser brace configured to mount to an interior portion of a delivery vehicle, the dispenser brace comprising a mounting section, a first dispenser arm, and a second dispenser arm, the mounting section having at least one mounting aperture, and the first dispenser arm and the second dispenser arm having at least one dispenser aperture; at least one mounting connector fixedly engaged with the at least one mounting aperture of the dispenser brace; and, an elongated dispenser rod, the elongated dispenser rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having a connection aperture and the second end being substantially curved proximal to a terminal portion, the elongated dispenser rod being threaded through the at least one dispenser aperture of the first dispenser arm and the second dispenser arm.
 11. The plastic bag dispenser bracket of claim 10 further comprising a stopping means selectively engaged with the connection aperture on the first end of the elongated dispenser rod.
 12. The plastic bag dispenser bracket of claim 10 wherein the mounting connector is selected from the group consisting of a nut and bolt, machine screw, pin, hook, wall anchor, and nail.
 13. The plastic bag dispenser bracket of claim 10 wherein the elongated dispenser rod is selectively engaged with a central portion of a plastic bag roll.
 14. The plastic bag dispenser bracket of claim 11 wherein the stopping means is a clip pin.
 15. The plastic bag dispenser bracket of claim 13 wherein the plastic bag roll is configured to rotate around an axis of the elongated dispenser rod.
 16. A delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser assembly comprising: a first dispenser bracket having a mounting arm and a dispenser arm, the mounting arm having at least one mounting aperture, and the dispenser arm having at least one dispenser aperture; a second dispenser bracket having a mounting arm and a dispenser arm, the mounting arm having at least one mounting aperture, and the dispenser arm having at least one dispenser aperture; a plurality of mounting connectors fixedly engaged with the at least one mounting aperture of the first dispenser brace and the second dispenser brace, the plurality of mounting connectors being configured to mount to a substantially flat surface; an elongated dispenser rod, the elongated dispenser rod having a first end and a second end, the first end having a pin aperture and the second end being substantially curved proximal to a terminal portion, the elongated dispenser rod being threaded through the at least one dispenser aperture of the first dispenser arm and the second dispenser arm; and, a retaining fastener removably engaged with the pin aperture of the elongated dispenser rod.
 17. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser assembly of claim 16 wherein the plurality of mounting connectors are selected from the group consisting of nuts and bolts, machine screws, pins, hooks, wall anchors, and nails.
 18. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser assembly of claim 16 wherein the elongated dispenser rod is substantially L-shaped.
 19. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser assembly of claim 16 wherein the first dispenser bracket and the second dispenser bracket are corner braces.
 20. The delivery vehicle plastic bag dispenser assembly of claim 16 wherein the elongated dispenser rod is selectively engaged with a central portion of a plastic bag roll. 